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President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attended the celebrations as chief guests, highlighting a significant diplomatic engagement alongside the ceremonial and military grandeur.
The parade reflected India’s strategic autonomy, with defence platforms of both indigenous origin and diverse global sourcing, including Russian and American systems.
Although the central theme of this year’s celebrations was 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, Operation Sindoor featured prominently in the parade. President Droupadi Murmu took the salute after arriving at Kartavya Path in a traditional buggy, accompanied by the visiting dignitaries and the President’s Bodyguards. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior ministers, top military leadership, diplomats, and officials were present at the ceremony.
Prime Minister Modi later stated that the parade reflected India’s strong security framework, technological advancement, and unwavering resolve to protect its citizens. Among the major weapon systems on display were the BrahMos supersonic missile, Akash air defence system, Suryastra universal rocket launcher, Arjun main battle tank, Dhanush artillery guns, and the Divyastra battery.
Ahead of the parade, President Murmu conferred the Ashoka Chakra on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, recognising his historic achievement as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. The cultural segment of the parade opened with around 100 artistes performing on the theme ‘Vividata Mein Ekta’, presenting a vibrant musical display symbolising India’s unity in diversity.
The parade was commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area. A tri-services tableau depicting Operation Sindoor attracted widespread attention, including a glass-encased integrated operations centre illustrating the use of BrahMos, Akash, and S-400 missile systems during the conflict in early May.
For the first time, the Indian Army presented a phased Battle Array Format, featuring reconnaissance units, mechanised columns, aerial components, and advanced combat support systems. Indigenous helicopters such as the Dhruv and Rudra, main battle tanks including T-90 Bhisma and Arjun, Apache and Prachand helicopters, infantry combat vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, robotic systems, and new-generation unmanned weapon platforms were showcased.
The newly raised Bhairav battalion, designed as a specialised assault infantry unit, also made its debut appearance. The Indian Navy contingent and tableau highlighted the theme ‘Strong Navy for a Strong Nation’, depicting ancient maritime heritage alongside modern indigenous platforms like INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri. The Air Force contingent marched in synchronisation with an aerial fly-past featuring Rafale, MiG-29, Su-30, and Jaguar aircraft in the symbolic ‘Sindoor Formation’.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation showcased the hypersonic glide missile LR-AShM, underlining India’s advances in cutting-edge defence technology. The parade concluded with an elaborate fly-past involving 29 aircraft and a thrilling motorcycle display by joint teams from the CRPF and SSB.
Around 10,000 special guests from across the country attended the celebrations. This year, the parade enclosures were named after major Indian rivers, symbolising the geographical and cultural flow that binds the nation together.
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]]>Members of indigenous communities from remote forests, highland regions and border areas will also get an opportunity to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visit.
They will be among nearly 5,000 special guests, along with their spouses, who have made notable contributions to nation building and have been invited to witness the parade. In addition, 50 couples from each state and Union territory, based in Delhi and dressed in traditional attire, will also attend the event.
The parade along Kartavya Path will feature 30 tableaux from states, Union territories and central government departments. These tableaux will compete for official awards, while citizens will also be able to vote for their favourite displays and marching contingents in a separate Popular Choice category through an online poll on the MyGov platform.
India’s military strength will be showcased through a ceremonial march, followed by a fly past involving 29 aircraft. The aerial display will include Rafale, Su 30 and MiG 29 fighter jets, P 8I surveillance aircraft, Apache and light combat helicopters, as well as transport aircraft such as the C 130 and the C 295.
Spectators will be seated in enclosures named after Indian rivers, including the Beas, Brahmaputra, Chambal, Chenab, Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Narmada and Yamuna. For the Beating the Retreat ceremony, the theme will shift to culture, with enclosures named after Indian musical instruments such as the bansuri, mridangam, sitar, sarod and veena.
The government has also made around 10,000 seats available free of cost for the general public through the Amantran Portal, where interested citizens can register using a valid identity proof.
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